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Shuts off while driving and does not restart right away?

Tiny
MACCA17
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 VAUXHALL CORSA
  • 1.2L
  • MANUAL
  • 104 MILES
I will be driving along, and my car just completely stops all dashboard lights go off, no warning before cutting out, and won’t restart.
Sometimes after like half an hour it will start, but most times it will be 2/3 hours then it will just click over and will need a jump to get it going.
Fuel sensor and pump changed, new coil pack.
No one seems to know what the issue is, no faults are shown when put on the computer.
Any ideas please?
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Saturday, October 1st, 2022 AT 2:39 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

First, this vehicle isn't offered in the US, so my technical information is extremely limited, but I will try my best to help.

What you described sounds like a traditional crankshaft position sensor failure. When they begin to fail, they are adversely affected by heat. Once they cool, they can work again.

When this happens, check to see if spark to the spark plugs was lost.

Here is a link that explains how to check:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Additionally, take a look at this link. It reviews what a crankshaft position sensor does, how it works, and the symptoms related to the failure. Keep in mind, this is one of the few sensors that can fail and not set a diagnostic trouble code.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Joe

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Saturday, October 1st, 2022 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
MACCA17
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Hi thanks Joe, this seems to be what a lot of people are saying the problem could be, so am changing the sensor tomorrow will see how it goes, might take a while as it’s seems be intermittent goes fine for while then breaks down.
Again, thank you for response.
Have a good day.
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Monday, October 3rd, 2022 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
You are very welcome. I hope things work out for you.

If you have a chance, could you let me know if it takes care of the issue? I'm interested in knowing. Also, if you want to confirm that is the likely issue, see if there is spark to the spark plugs when it refuses to restart. If there isn't, this is the most likely cause.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, October 3rd, 2022 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
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  • 10 POSTS
Thanks Joe, I will let you know in time if it is sorted or not. Being fitted today so we will see if doesn't break down in next few days.
Fingers crossed.
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 AT 12:00 AM
Tiny
MACCA17
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hi Joe, update on car, crankshaft sensor and cam sensor were changed today. I drove five miles and the car cut out again, so I guess that wasn’t the issue.
The mechanic came out, couldn’t find the issue, but he wiggled a wire that is at back of fuse box and goes into fuse box and car started?
Rac reckons could be BCM problem or electrical.
The mechanic thinks possible ignition barrel also.
It’s really frustrating and baffling as no one seems to know what it is, spent so much money trying to rectify it, lol.
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

By any chance, do you know which wire he moved to allow it to start? I ask because that doesn't sound like a module issue. Instead, it simply sounds like a connection issue.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
MACCA17
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hi, not very good these things. There are two wires one is blue he just gave that a wiggle and it started, whether it was coincidental we are not sure, but my hope is yes just loose connection.
Michelle
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 AT 10:09 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

It sounds like a connection issue. Have you experienced any issues since this was done?

Joe
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Thursday, October 6th, 2022 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
MACCA17
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hi,

Not so far, but that means nothing really, I can drive for weekday and no problems then it will cut out again not making much sense the car. I drove over 500 miles visiting my family in the summer and not one issue, soon as I came home started playing up again, think like me it does not like where I live, lol.
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Thursday, October 6th, 2022 AT 11:49 PM
Tiny
MACCA17
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  • 10 POSTS
That should say for a week.
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Thursday, October 6th, 2022 AT 11:49 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

LOL. What I would do is this. If it happens, see if it will restart if you move the wiring around like was done in the first place. If that makes a difference, then we need to start checking connections.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, October 7th, 2022 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
MACCA17
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hi,

Well, after all the money we have spent replacing parts, we were about to do a full ECU/fuse box, ignition etc, change when mechanic finally found what we are hoping and praying is the issue, a wire behind the glove box. When he touched it, the car cut out in exactly the way it does whilst I’m driving and when he pushed it back it restarted straight away, so fingers crossed issue solved.
Will update you in time.
Thanks for all your help.
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Saturday, October 8th, 2022 AT 9:22 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Thank you for the update. It sounds like it was a nightmare. Regardless, I'm glad to know you got things working and identified the wire involved.

I have a feeling your update will be used by many people, so thanks again. Also, please feel free to come back at any time in the future. You are always welcome here.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, October 8th, 2022 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
MACCA17
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Thanks Joe,

Hopefully it will be the issue and no longer occurs, and helps others.
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Sunday, October 9th, 2022 AT 2:02 AM

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